Councilman Tom LaBonge sends letter to NFL commissioner, urging him to bring pro football back to LA

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As the NFL kicks off its season opener, a Los Angeles City Councilman has renewed a call to bring pro football back to Los Angeles.

LA Councilman Tom LaBonge made the push this week by writing a letter to National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, urging him to consider bringing the game back to the largest city in the country without an NFL team.

NFL's Path to LA Paved By Stadium Agreement

City officials and business leaders gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday morning to sign a formal agreement to build a new NFL stadium. John Cádiz Klemack reports from Downtown LA for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2012. (Published Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012)

"We've waited far too long to root for the home team," LaBonge said in a press release. "Our collective excitement for the new NFL season is dampened by Los Angeles's lack of a team."

LaBonge also introduced a resolution to the LA City Council that "reaffirms and reiterates its support for the efforts of the National Football League to bring a franchise back to the city of Los Angeles."

Pasadena to Consider Rose Bowl as Temporary NFL Home

The plan is dependent on the many "ifs" and "whens" involved in an NFL team moving to Los Angeles. Though the city may be thrilled at the potential extra revenue, residents are not. Conan Nolan reports from Pasadena for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2012. (Published Monday, Nov 19, 2012)

The NFL is about to begin its 19th season without having a team in the greater Los Angeles area since the departure of the Rams and Raiders in the mid-1990s.

The LA City Council last year approved a proposal to build Farmers Field downtown that would enable an NFL team to move to the city.

Farmers Field Chases the Clock

A report by Yahoo Sports claims the proposed plans for a football stadium to be built in Downtown Los Angeles are dead. But city officials have not given up hope. Patrick Healy reports from Downtown LA for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 5, 2013. (Published Tuesday, Mar 5, 2013)

The stadium will be located in downtown and is expected to be completed by 2016.

The NFL season opener starts tonight at 5:30 on NBC with a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens at the Denver Broncos.